Events for Monday 15th May 2017

On This Day in History

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Britain dropped it's first live thermonuclear bomb

15th May 1957

Weighing about 4,545 kg, the bomb exploded with a force of 300 kilotons, a yield far below the prediction. Despite this, Britain deemed "Operation Grapple" a success and broadcast to the world that the UK had the resolve and the capability to protect her own democracy and that of her Commonwealth.

Further Reading

On 15 May 1957/58 Vickers Valiant V-Bomber XD818 under the command of Wg Cdr Kenneth Hubbard, OC 49 Squadron RAF, dropped Britain's first live thermonuclear bomb. The success of Operation Grapple broadcast to the world that the UK had the resolve and the capability to protect her own democracy and… Read more...

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Red Army begins its withdrawal from Afghanistan

15th May 1988

Following almost a decade of fighting, the final troop withdrawal began on May 15th 1988, and ended on February 15th 1989. Due to the interminable and inconclusive nature of the war, the conflict in Afghanistan has often been referred to as the Soviet equivalent of the United States' Vietnam War.

Further Reading

This is the story of the defeat of Soviet Russia's forces in Afghanistan by a guerrilla force known as the Mujahideen, heavily backed by Pakistan and the USA. The Mujahideen paved the way for the Taliban regime, to exist having all but defeated the Russian Army in the late 80's.… Read more...

Only £12.99 at Pen & Sword Books.

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